Was she hurting or was she taking it easy? Only Marion Jones knows for sure, and she's not talking.
Jones returned to the track a night after her emotional victory in the long jump at the US Olympic trials, and looked downright ordinary in the 200m.
Jones faded to last in her five-woman qualifying heat Friday night, slowing to nearly a trot on the final straightaway. But she still easily advanced to Saturday's semifinals, because only one of the 19 women in the quarterfinals was eliminated.
It was unclear whether Jones, the reigning Olympic champion in the 200m, was struggling in the final meters of the race or whether she knew she could qualify without much effort. She declined to talk with reporters after the race.
The fastest time in the quarterfinals was 22.60 seconds by Torri Edwards, who placed second in the 100m last weekend. But Edwards' chances of going to the Athens Olympics depend on the results of an arbitration hearing in a drug case.
Edwards acknowledged this week that she had a positive test for a banned stimulant this year, but claims she took the drug inadvertently and is trying to avoid a 2-year ban that would knock her out of the Olympics.
In the men's 200m, Shawn Crawford, Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay ran three of the four fastest times in the world this year in the qualifying heats.
Crawford ran a world's best 19.88, while Gatlin ran 20.06 and Gay, the NCAA champion from Arkansas, had a personal best 20.07.
Gatlin and Crawford already are on the US Olympic team in the 100m, along with defending Olympic champion Maurice Greene. Greene was entered in the 200m as well, but -- as expected -- did not show up for his heat.
Tim Broe won the men's 5,000m, but still needs to reach the Olympic qualifying standard before Aug. 9 to be able to compete at the Athens Games. Deena Kastor won the women's 10,000m, but plans to run only the marathon in Athens. Laura Gerraughty won the women's shot put.
In the women's 200m, there were six no-shows. LaTasha Colander, the trials' 100m champion, and Chryste Gaines, who has been charged with steroid use and faces a lifetime ban if found guilty, were among those who withdrew.
So Jones began her heat -- the last of four -- knowing she could take it easy and still advance to the semifinals.
Jones got off to a poor start, but ran the curve well and was among the leaders coming into the final straightaway. Then she slowed significantly in the last 80 meters and finished far behind heat winner Inger Miller.
Jones' time of 22.93 was 10th fastest in the heats.
A night after jumping 7.112m -- the second-best long jump in the world this year and her best since 1998 -- Jones flashed her trademark smile when her name was announced at the start of the 200m. She was expressionless during the long jump competition, but smiled and sobbed after her victory.
Jones wore an all-white body suit, the same color she wore in the 100m preliminaries a week ago. Jones went on to finish fifth in the 100m final, failing to claim a spot on the US team for the Athens Olympics.
Jones is being investigated by the US Anti-Doping Agency. She has not been charged and repeatedly has denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs. Her boyfriend, Tim Montgomery, has been charged with steroid use and faces a lifetime ban if found guilty by an international arbitration panel.
There has been more drug news at the Olympic trials this week.
The latest was a report Friday on the Chicago Tribune's and Washington Post's Web sites that sprinter Mickey Grimes had a positive result for a steroid in an out-of-competition test this year. Grimes won his qualifying heat in the 200m Friday in 20.39, then left the track without talking to reporters.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely